After Sharif family, now Zardari’s turn, warns Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Addressing a gigantic rally in Islamabad, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Sunday said after the Sharif family, he would go after former president Asif Ali Zardari to get him grilled for involvement in money embezzlement.

He said though match against graft had not yet ended “but I congratulate you that we have won the match of Naya Pakistan.”

“Supreme court has actually laid the foundation of a Naya Pakistan by delivering justice. Today I want to salute the court for giving a hope to the people of Pakistan,” he said.

An enormous crowd had turned up to join the PTI’s celebrations over the Supreme Court’s verdict to disqualify Nawaz Sharif as prime minister. After getting permission from the district administration, PTI held the public gathering in connection with its ‘thanksgiving day’ at the Parade Ground.

“After Nawaz Sharif I am going after Shahbaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and I will not spare Zardari as well,” then after a little pause and mockingly smiling he said “I am also coming after you Fazl-ur-Rehman.”

Citing example of the early Muslims, he said how much hardships they bore but they did not bow in front of falsehood.

“I take inspiration from those people and learn from the adverse circumstances I encounter,” he said.

To a perception regarding what difference his party held when it welcomed people from all other parties whom are alleged of involvement in huge embezzlement, he said his government would establish such a powerful institution of accountability that would not wait for political green light for taking action against influential people.

He said the quantity of investment made in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in PTI’s government was unprecedented.

“Though I do not claim that improvements in KP have been made as I dream of but there has surely been sharp developments in policing and education sector specially,” he said.

Watching the huge crowd, he said “I am happy to watch a dynamic, educated nation who stood for their rights and made it.”

He reminisced how people around him were disappointment of his decision on November 02 last year when he agreed to approach court against the dynastic rule and called off protest.

“When I decided to approach court. Everybody around me was disappointed of my decision including leaders in PTI, journalists and public even our political cousin Tahir-ul-Qadri was also not hopeful of my decision,” he said “but what one can think of could be made possible with the help of Almighty Allah (SWT).”

With corruption allegations engulfing the Sharif family — a dominant force in the country’s politics for the last three decades — cricketer-turn-politician Khan is hoping to win support for his party for the next general elections. The grassroots PTI has long campaigned on an anti-corruption platform. “It wasn’t a political game play, it was the nation’s battle against the corrupt mafia,” PTI said in a tweet.

On this occasion, senior PTI leader Asad Umar said Nawaz Sharif lied to the nation that he took Iqama because to travel easily. The real reason behind iqama was to hide their own money in Panama and British Virgin Island.

He said that Nawaz had also taken huge debt and debt was a national security risk.

Another PTI leader Jahangir Tareen said after Nawaz Sharif was disqualified, now it was turn of his brother Shahbaz Sharif to be held accountable.

“I ask Shehbaz Sharif whether you’re ready for the accountability? Shehbaz Sharif you’re answerable to the people of Pakistan for the murders of model town. Model town case report must be made public,” he demanded.

Shehbaz Sharif you will have to be answerable to the NAB and court over Hudabiya case, he said.

Soon after getting verbal approval from authorities on Saturday, the PTI workers commenced preparations for the event. However, the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from authorities was issued to the party later in the evening same day.

According to the district administration, PTI was permitted to hold the rally at the Parade Ground, however, it would have to wind up the show before 11:00 pm. The deputy commissioner also issued necessary directives to traffic police to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the rally, it added.

All arrangements were finalised at the venue to host participants and party workers, organizers said. The arrangements were also examined by several party leaders including the chairman himself.

The PTI chief, in his address, also shared his views on recent political developments including former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation and situation arising from Supreme Court’s verdict in the Panamagate case.